Obituaries
Notice of Passing WENDELL G. MCLEROY
Mr. Wendell George McLeroy, husband of Rose McLeroy was born in Calion on Nov. 10, 1952 and passed on Sept. 17, 2018.
Visitation will be held Sunday, September 30, 2018 from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral will be held Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. at O.H. Pye, III Funeral Home 17600 Plymouth Rd. Detroit, MI 48227. Online condolences can be sent to www. pyefuneralhome.com.
LOVIE L. MILLER
Lovie Lee Miller, 77, of Crossett departed this life on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 at Ashley County Medical Center in Crossett.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. today at the chapel of Mitchell Memorial Funeral Service in Crossett. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church in Crossett. Interment will follow at Springhill Cemetery in Oakland, Louisiana under the direction of Mitchell Memorial Funeral Service of Crossett.
Reminder of Services JOHN A. COURTNEY
Funeral for John Allen Courtney, 79, of Lockhart, Louisiana will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Lockhart Church of Christ in Lockhart, Louisiana. Interment will follow at the Olive Branch Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
An online guest registry will be available at www. youngsfuneralhome.com.
GEORGE H. FREEMAN
Visitation for George Hamlin Freeman, 70, of Hot Springs will be at 1 p.m. followed with a celebration of life service at 2 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2018 at Christ Lutheran Church, 103 Ponferrada Way, Hot Springs Village, AR with pastor Kurt Kovanen officiating.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation, P. O. Box 2222, Little Rock, AR 72203. URL: https://giving.archildrens.org/page.aspx?pid=499.
Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.
VELMA J. PARKER
Funeral for Velma J. Parker, 65, will be held at 10 a.m. today at Young’s Chapel. Burial will follow at Scotland Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
An online guest registry will be available at www. youngsfuneralhome.com.
Obituaries CONNIE HARRIS
Connie Harris was born Sept. 27, 1965 in El Dorado to Brenda and Yancy R. Harris, Jr. Connie departed this life Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Life Touch Hospice.
She was a member of Ward Chapel C.M.E. Church and a 1983 graduate of Norphlet High School.
Connie was an employee of Champagnolle Landing as a Bus Driver.
Connie is preceded in death by her father, Yancy R. Harris Jr.; grandparents, Nancy Jean
Brazle, Yancy and Magglean Harris.
Survivors are her mother, Brenda Benton and stepfather James Benton; brothers, Yancy (Sonya) R. Harris, III., of El Cajon, California, and Paul Harris of El Dorado; sisters, Sheila Harris of Little Rock, Theola “Bonnie” Harris (Jerome) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jamie Davis (Antonio), Andrea Benton of El Dorado and Nancy McCoy (Stanley) of Camden; aunts, Pauline Harris, Ophelia Brazle, and Linda Ramey; uncles, Samuel Johnson Jr., Paul Harris, Bruce Harris, Jerome Harris, Raymond Oliver and her fiancé David Marrable.
Public Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 from noon until 5 p.m. at Sims Mortuary. Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 28, 2018 11 a.m. Douglas Chapel. Interment will be at Rehobeth Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook online at www.simsmortuary.com.
EARL L. HILDRETH
The Rev. Earl L. Hildreth was born Nov. 6, 1945 to the Rev. Curtis Hildreth, Sr., and Callie M. Charles in Ogemaw. He passed on Sept. 21, 2018.
He was a 1964 of Smackover Training School; a 1972 graduate of the Phoenix Police Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, and was a veteran.
He pastored the following churches: East Side Baptist Church of El Dorado, Shady Grove Baptist Church of Mt. Holly, Cedar Grove Baptist Church of Waldo, Kendricks Chapel Baptist Church, Wallisville and New
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Norphlet.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters.
He is survived by daughters: La Trice M. Hildreth of El Dorado, Sherrell R. Hildreth of Clovis, California, Sonja V. Glover of Dallas, Texas, and La Klita S. Hildreth of El Dorado; one son, Shaun T. Hildreth of Warren; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Morning Star Baptist Church #2. There will be no public visitation at funeral home. Interment will be at Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Cremation services provided by Sims. Sign the guestbook online at www. simsmortuary.com.
HARRY B. ROWLAND
Harry Bryant “Buck” Rowland, 91, of El Dorado, departed this life on Sept. 25, 2018 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House.
He was born April 29, 1927, to Dursey Mae Taylor and James Mavis Rowland in Huttig. He attended Junction City Schools and joined the US Navy during World War II where he was assigned to the USS Whetstone LSD-27 in the Pacific Theater. His Operations during his time of service on the USS Whetstone LSD-27 included deckhand, gunman, steering the ship and driving the shuttle boats. He retired from Columbia Chemical and was an avid gardener and hunter.
He preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lillian Blackman Rowland; sister, Mary Frances Jones; two brothers, James and Max Rowland; and great grandson Alex Bougher.
Those left to cherish his memory are sons, James Rowland of Huttig, Thomas Rowland (Mary) of El Dorado; daughter, Angie Bougher of El Dorado; brother, Paul Rowland (Linda) of Junction City; nine grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren; and two great great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, at Perry’s Funeral Chapels. Funeral Services will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at Perry’s Funeral Chapels. Interment will follow at Smyrna Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank Dr. George Smith for his care over the years.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the John R. Williamson Hospice House 2301 Champagnolle Rd. El Dorado, AR 71730.
Online condolences at www.perrysfuneralchapels.com.
DONA L. SNELL
Arkansas native Dona Lyn Hatcher Snell was surrounded by the love of family when she died peacefully on Friday, the 21st of September, 2018 at The Medical City of Plano in Texas.
Making her debut in Shreveport, LA on May 12, 1943, Dona quickly became a student of the arts. The theater was her passion, and throughout her formative years, she sang and performed in countless productions. Prior to enrolling at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, Dona was invited to New York City to audition for The Metropolitan Opera and Company; and while the arts remained a positive force in her life, she ultimately chose to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and went on to become a beloved and celebrated school teacher for more than 40 years in both the Arkansas and Texas Public School Systems. Over the years she earned countless post-graduate certifications and awards and her students enjoyed a teacher who was not only compassionate and fun, but one who truly cared about each and every one them.
Dona was a member of First Baptist Church in Smackover, Arkansas, where she is remembered for her profound faith and beautiful solo vocal performances. She was also active in the South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) where she shared her musical talent in various productions, including her favorite, “Annie Get Your Gun.” God, family, teaching and music were the cornerstones of her life, and to all she gave her whole self.
Dona’s family delighted in her stories about her childhood and her beloved parents, Durwood Lance Hatcher and Bertie Marie Speights Hatcher, whom preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was the great love of her life, husband Lyn Everett Snell and her beloved brother, Durwood Hatcher. She is survived by her son Christopher Acklin, Granddaughter Jayci Harrison (Stephen), Grandson William Acklin, Great Grandson Maddox Harrison, Stepmother Cora Hatcher and Sister-in-Law Charlene Powell. She also leaves behind her best friend and sister, Gloria Colesworthy, whom she lovingly and simply called “Sister.” A host of nieces and nephews also survive her. Her appreciation of their love and support throughout her life was beyond measure.
Dona loved socializing, the theater, teaching, and spending time with her sister, her grandchildren and the rest of her extended family. She had a wicked sense of humor and a wonderful smile that could light up a room. She will be missed by all who loved her.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” ~ Corinthians 4: 17-18
Visitation will be at Young’s Funeral Directors in El Dorado, Arkansas from 5pm-7pm on Friday, September 28th. A service celebrating her life will take place Saturday, September 29th at 2pm at First Baptist Church in Smackover. Interment will follow at Smackover municipal cemetery.
An online guest registry will be available at www. youngsfuneralhome.com.
JOHN L. TRAYLOR
Pastor John L. Traylor was born Jan. 22, 1950 to Sam and Birdell Traylor. He served as Pastor of the Fellowship of Jesus Christ for 34 years. He started attending New Eastside Baptist under the leadership of Pastor Anthony Traylor.
He passed Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Tina Gray.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 48 years, Edna F. Traylor; sons, Robert (Mary), John F. (Keshandra) Traylor; daughters, Terri McElroy, Latonya (Daniel) Thurman, Tarshia Traylor (Dominic Miller), Sharon (Terry ) Fifer; brothers, Sammie Traylor, John (Doll) Traylor, Lonnie (Latoya) Traylor, Donnie Traylor; sisters, Mary Grissom, Frances Robinson, Anner (Willie) Jackson, Pauline (Charlie) Jones, Veneater (Chester) Taylor, Connie (Flint) Fisher, Sandra Traylor, Nancy (Carl) Edwards, 27 grandchildren, 15 great-grands, and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends.
Public visitation will be Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 from noon until 5 p.m. at Sims Mortuary. Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018 at 1 p.m. at St. James Baptist Church. Interment will be at Mt. Sinai Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook online at www.simsmortuary.com.